2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Michigan
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Education Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $42,490. Set against $19,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Michigan University earned it the #2 place for physical education. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $35,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Eastern Michigan University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,894. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $26,894 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #5 makes Grand Valley State University one of the best values for physical education. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,300 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $29,913. That is a strong return on a $26,300 median debt. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Aquinas College Michigan earned the #6 position for value in physical education this year. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $40,218. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $40,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for physical education. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $36,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Spring Arbor University earned the #8 position for value in physical education this year. Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. Students from in state pay about $34,014 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,268 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $53,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Olivet College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Olivet, Olivet College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,068. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $29,578 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Olivet College earn a median of $37,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,578 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College came in at #10 for value in physical education this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,833. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $26,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Adrian College placed #11 among the best values for physical education. Set in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Physical Education graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Concordia University Ann Arbor ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, Concordia University Ann Arbor is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,410. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $54,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
More Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
